Insurance Question: In a Fender Bender

If you want to leave the insurance company out of the equation (perfectly legal so long as both parties can reach an amicable settlement), then I would immediately contact the 'other party' and reach a settlement. Meet the other party in-person, and provide adequate cash compensation for the damages you caused.

This is preferable, compared to weeks and weeks of insurance adjusters haggling about who did what and how much it will cost to fix, while everyone is waiting for checks to be delivered in the mail.

 

Your insurance company will be paying for HIS damages, no doubt about it. Your rates will be rising shortly regardless. If you were hoping to 'soften the blow' by not filing a claim for your car, too, and hoping that your rate adjustment was in response to the total amount of the accident claim and not your 'increased' risk status, you are in for a rude awakening. Do yourself a favor and have your car fixed at least. You will be paying high rates anyway, you might as well get something for your money by being made whole in the process.

I've seen far too many people driving around with trashed bumpers/light clusters/quarter panels because they didn't want to file a claim. Life's too short to drive around in a damaged car.